FALLS CHURCH, Va. (WUSA) -- Two people were found dead inside a home gutted by a large fire early Wednesday morning in Falls Church, Va.

The first victim was found inside the home earlier this morning, along with a deceased dog and cat. Firefighters were searching for the second resident believed to be inside the home until the body was discovered later in the morning.

Neighbors say the victims had lived in the house for two years and that the two were hearing impaired. One neighbor said a mother and her teenage daughter had rented the home. Officials have not released the names of the deceased.

Officials say the structure of the old single story ranch style home contributed to the massive fire with flames reaching 20 feet high. A neighbor said he heard a booming noise and then saw most of the house engulfed in flames. He told Delia Goncalves that the heat was so intense you could not walk anywhere near the house.

Captain William Moreland, spokesman for the Fairfax County Fire Department, says the fire was first reported in the 3100 block of Manor Road near Oak Ridge Road around 3:25 a.m. When crews arrived on scene they found the single-story home engulfed in flames. The blaze has since been brought under control.

Neighbors tell WUSA9's Delia Goncalves that the homes are all built the same with the furnace not in a basement, but in the center of the main living area.

WUSA*9 has a crew on the scene and will update this developing story as more information comes available.